By Guy Gregory MCDC Communications Specialist “Montana Co-ops 101: Introduction & History” won third place at the 2017 Cooperative Communicators Association awards competition in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The video documentary, jointly sponsored by the Montana Council of Cooperatives (MCOC) and the Montana Cooperative Development Center (MCDC) is the first in…

One of our newest members, Loyal to Local Bitterroot connects consumers with agricultural producers in the Bitterroot Valley, who grow local vegetables, grains, flowers and meats. Go ahead and watch this video that shows how the co-op is making a difference in Montana Produced by Guy Gregory l …

By Guy Gregory MCDC Communications Specialist Co-op leaders from across Montana converged for MCDC’s 2nd Annual Back to Basics Cooperative Summit at Fairmont Hot Springs. More than 80 people attended this year’s event that featured four major sectors of the cooperative economy: food and agriculture, community investment, housing and consumer-based…

By Guy Gregory MCDC Communications Specialist A survey of producers in the Golden Triangle region is now underway as part of a feasibility study to assess the market potential and economic viability of local food hub system in North Central Montana. The study is being funded by the Farmers Union…

By Guy Gregory MCDC Communications Specialist The Neihart Store Cooperative Association is now accepting stock subscriptions from prospective co-op members. The steering committee is seeking to operate the existing Neihart Inconvenience Store as a consumer cooperative that would serve both residents and recreational visitors to the former mining town nestled…

By Guy Gregory, MCDC Communications Specialist Membership has grown in the Montana Council of Cooperatives since the beginning of the new year. Six cooperatives from across the state, both established and newly formed, have joined the organization thus far in 2017. New members that have formed most recently are…

By Guy Gregory, MCDC Communications Specialist MCOC had 18 cooperatives represented at the 57th Annual Meeting in Helena on January 9 – 10, 2017 at the Radisson Colonial Hotel. Over 40 members were in attendance at the meeting and the legislative dinner and dance served over 110 people…

By Guy Gregory MCDC Communications Specialist Two new cooperatives in North Central Montana have made great strides this winter in launching their respective retail businesses. The Neihart Store Steering Committee is still seeking to operate the Neihart Inconvenience Store as a consumer cooperative that would serve both residents and recreational…